An unusual kind of public garden - a 190 foot garden of vines - is being planned for Reynolds Park. A mosaic of perennial and annual vines will be planted this spring along the entire length of the chain link fence on the East Mifflin Street side of Reynolds Park between Paterson and Livingston streets.

The garden will be a volunteer effort led by Bob Shaw who takes care of the other garden in Reynolds Park, the triangular garden at the corner of E. Dayton and Paterson streets. The vine garden has been approved by the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association, alder Barbara Vedder, and the city park's department.

The fence is about six feet high and consists of nineteen ten foot sections. An eighteen inch strip of grass will be removed along the entire length and planted with the vines. The area will then be mulched to preserve moisture and keep the weeds down.

"I'm really excited about creating this garden," said Shaw. "I think vines are an under-utilized component of gardening, especially in areas like the Isthmus where gardens tend to be small and space is at a premium. This garden will showcase the diversity of vines." He went on to say that it would be a great garden for the handicapped and the elderly since the sidewalk abuts the fence and the plants will be at eye level (Sam Oakey excepted).

Perennial vines to be planted include Virginia creeper, several kinds of climbing honeysuckle and clematis, five-finger akebia, trumpet creeper, climbing hydrangea, kiwi, and Oriental bittersweet.

Annual vines include several kinds of morning glory, canary creeper, cypress vine, cardinal climber, scarlet runner bean, lablab vine, moonflower, crimson star glory, love-in-a-puff, Chilean glory flower, variegated Japanese hops, and moonflower. Because perennial vines take a couple of years to reach their full height, the annual vines will dominate this first year.

A fund raising drive is currently underway to raise $250 for the plants, mulch, and signs. That amount will be matched on a dollar to dollar basis by the city's People for Parks Matching Fund Program. If you would like to contribute, please send a check made out to City Treasurer to: Reynolds Park Vine Garden, Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 703, Madison, WI 53701. Contributions are tax deductible.

In the middle of May a work party will take place on a weekend day. Watch the next newsletter for details.